Tubing bleeder



April 12 1927.

a. c. BUSHONG TUBING BLEEDER Filed April 2, 1925 INVENTOR.

GROVER C BUSHONG R, w- W A TTORNEY.

' tubing Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UNITED STATES GROVER C. BUSHONG, OF \VHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.

TUBING BLEEDER.

Application filed April 2, 1925. Serial No. 20,179.

This invention is a bleeder adapted to drain the fluid from a string of tubing in a well preparatory to withdrawing the tubing. It is the object of the invention to provide a bleeder of simplified construction, which is normally securely held in closed position, but which may be readily released and shifted to open position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means whereby the string of sucker rods which extends through the well tubing, may be disconnected at a point below the tubing bleeder, and the bleeder then opened by elevation of the disconnected upper portion of the string of rods, in order to drain the tubing and permit dry withdrawal thereof. The removal of the tubing withdraws the pump mechanism carried thereby together with the lower portion of the string of disconnected sucker rods, in order that repairs or replacements may be made.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an axial section through a well showing the bleeder in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing bleeder in open position.

Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are transverse sections on the lines 3-3, l l, and 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 isa fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified torm ofthe invention.

Tn the drawings I have shown a usual well construction including casing 1. with tubing 2 extending downwardly therethrough, and a string of sucker rods 3 adapted for reciprocation in the tubing and operatively connected to pump t in the pump barrel i at the lower end of the tubing.

If the pump mechanism sticks or otherwise becomes inoperative so that it is necesthe ' sary to withdraw the tubing in order to remove the pump, a bleeder in the tubing is opened for draining the same of oil prior to the withdrawal thereof.

The means for draining the string of tubing comprises a length thereof shown at 2, fixed in the string of tubing at the desired height by threaded couplings 5 such as are used for connecting all of the lengths of tubing 2. A port 6 extends radially through 2 near its lower end, and the bore of tubing 2 adjacent the port 6 tapers downwardly to a slightly restricted diameter as shown at 7.

A split sleeve 8 which preferably extends the length of tubing section 2 is adapted to seat in the tapering bore '7 for normally closlng the port 6. The split sleeve comprises cooperating arcuate sections 9 and 10, the meeting edges of which are angularly disposed relative to the axis of the sleeve as shown at 11, so that sections 9 and 10 are of reduced arcuate length at their upper and lower ends respectively. The lower end of sleeve 8 tapers in conformity with the tapering bore 7, so that lowering of arouate section 10 relative to section 9 will expand the split sleeve, due to the angular disposi tion of meeting edges 11, and will wedge the split sleeve in bore 7 for closing port 6. To release the split sleeve from its wedging engagement in bore 7, section 10 is elevated relative to section 9, thereby contacting the split sleeve, due to the inclination of meeting edges 11, so that the sleeve may be readily lifted for uncovering port 6, and thus drain the string of tubing 2.

The means for elevating section 10 of the split sleeve, comprises a lip 12 dependtil) ing therefrom below the lower end of arcuate section 9, with its edges 13 angularly offset so as not to wedge against section 9 when elevated relative thereto. A collar 11 i is fixed on the lower end of lip 12 in longitudinally spaced alinement with section 9 of the split sleeve, so that lifting against said collar will first elevate section 10 of the sleeve relative to section 9, in order to break the wedging engagement in bore 7, and will then elevate both sections of the split sleeve for uncovering port 6, by the abutment of collar 14; against the lower end of section 9.

In order to permit expansion and contraction of the two sections of sleeve 8, while preventing complete disengagement; of said sections, the upper end of section. 10 preferably tapers upwardly to a somewhat restricted diameter shown at 15 and a closed annulus 16 which is provided at the upper end of arcuatc section 9, is received over the tapering end 1.5 of the cooperating arcuate section. "The two sections of the split sleeve are guided and held against relative rotation by a pin 17 depending from arcuate section 9 and received in a radial slot 18 in the collar 1%.

The sections of sucker rod 3 are connected. by usual coupling collars l9, and the string of sucker rods in the well is adapted to be disconnected at'collar 19 which is innuediately below split sleeve 8, so that lifting of said collar by elevation of the portion of the string of rods which extends upwardly therefrom, will impinge the collar against the member Li and thus operate sleeve 8, as previously described.

As shown in Fig. 1 collar 19 is provided at its upper end with a right-hand threaded socket 20, and at its lower end with a lefthand threaded socket 21; and the end of the sucker rod received in socket 521 is provided with a cooperating left-hand thread, while all the other ends of the sucker rods and the coope'ating sockets ot the remaining coupling collars 19 are provided with usual right-hand threads. The construction as thus described is used when the string of sucker rods is reciprocated without rotation of the same; the string of rods being disconnected at the lower end o'l coupling 19 by turning the string to the right so as to unscrew the left-hand threaded connection 21 while tightening the remaining righthand threaded connections of the sucker rod couplings.

The Inoditiation ot the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 is employed when the string of sucker rods is rotated during reciprocation thereof. In this construction a coupling 19 is substituted for the coupling 19, the bleeder-valve and the couplings 19 being similar to those previously described.

Coupling 19 comprises member 20 and 21 having right-hand threaded sockets for engaging the ends of adjacent lengths of the sucker rod 2, with members 20 2l connected by a right-hand threaded pin and socket connection 2'2, so that turning of the string of sucker rods to the right while recipro'zating the same, will tighten all of the coupling connections.

Antid riction means are provided between the abutting surfaces of members 20i?l".

so that turning of the string of sucker rods to the left so as to tend to unscrew the threaded connections of the sucker rod couplings, will disconnect the string of rods at. the connection :22 which is provided with the anti-friction means, before any of the remaining joints are broken, since the latter will be held by the frictional engagement of their abutting surfaces.

\Vith the string of sucker rods disconnected at the joint 22, the upper portion of the string may be elevated as previously de scribed. tor abutment ot' memlier 20* against the collar 14, in order to release sleeve 8 From its wedging engagement: in bore '7, and thus permit elevation of said sleeve for uncovering port C. so that the string of tubing 3 may be drained.

The anti-friction means provided between the abutting urfaces of members 20-2l", are shown as ball bearings 25 jourualed in recesses in the ends of member 21*, with the edges of said recesses peined over the ball hearings, in order to hold the latter in place while permitting turning thereof, and the surfaces of the balls projecting beyond the peined edges for anti-frictional contact with the cooperating end abutment surface of member 20 \Vhen a bleeder construction as thus described is provided in a well, the joints of the string of sucker rods 3 are so placed relative to split sleeve 8. that during normal reciprocation ot the sucker rods the coupling 19 or 19' will not strike the collar 1 1. The bleeder will thus remain closed during normal, operation, but. may be readily opened by disconnecting the string of sucker rods at the ']Ol11t 19 or 19', and elevating the upwardly projecting portionot the string.

In practice the two arcuate sections o'l. F-plit sleeve 8 are preferably of relatively hard and soft metal respectively. F or example the section 9 may be of brass while the section 10 is of steel. The section 10 being the one impinged for releasing the sleeve from wedging engagement in the tubing, is thus of suiiicient strength to provide a durable construction; and the engagement ot section 10 with the relatively soft brass of section 9, permits of a snug tit at the meeting edges 11.

I claim:

1. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening t-heretln'ough, and a split sleeve adapted for wedging engage ment in said tubmg to close said port and releasable for movement to uncover said port.

A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, a string of sucker rods adapted for reciprocation in said tubing, and a split sleeve adapted for wedging engagement in the tubing to close the port and releasable tor movement to uncover the port by movement of the string of rods beyond the normal limit of reciprocation thereof.

3. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, a string of sucker rods in said tubing connected by coupling means arranged for breaking of the string of rods at a certain coupling by turning of the string, said certain coupling comprising parts detachably connected by relative rotation of the parts, and said parts having anti-frictional contact surfaces, and means adapted for wedging engagement in the tubing to close the port and releasable for movement to open the port by movement of the disconnected portion of the string of rods which extends upwardly from said certain coupling.

4-. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, and a split sleeve in said tubing comprising arouate sections having their meeting edges at ltlt lit)

an angle to the axis of the sleeve whereby opposite axial movement of the sections in one direction will expand the sleeve and wedge the same in the tubing for closing the port and opposite axial movement of the sections in the reverse direction will contract the sleeve to permit elevation thereof in the tubing so as to open the port.

5. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, and a split sleeve adapted for wedging engagement in the tubing to close the port and releasable from said wedging engagement for elevation thereof so as to open the port by axial impingement against the sleeve.

6. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, and a split sleeve in said tubing comprising sec tions of relatively hard and soft material respectively adapted for engagement to wedge the sleeve in the tubing so as to close the port or disengagement so as to release the sleeve for movement thereof to open the port.

7. A tubing bleeder comprising tubing having a port opening therethrough, and a split sleeve in the tubing comprising sections adapted for opposite axial movement in one direction to wedge the sleeve in the tubing and close the port, one of said sections projecting beyond the other for initial abutment against the same to cause opposite axial movement of the sections in the reverse direction to release the sleeve from wedging engagement in the tubing, said projecting section being arranged for impingement against the other section by continued abutment against the same to axially shift the sleeve after release thereof so as to uncover the port in the tubing.

8. The combination with well tubing adapted for reciprocation of sucker rods therein, of a sleeve comprising axial sections having abutting edges adapted to radially expand or contract the sleeve in the tubing by relative axial movement between the sections, the sucker rods having means for axially moving the sections relative to one another to contract the sleeve.

9. A sleeve for tubing comprising axial sections having abutting edges adapted to radially expand or contract the sleeve in the tubing by relative axial movement between the sections, and a string of sucker rods in the tubing connected by coupling means arranged for breaking the string at a certain coupling by turning the string, the disconnected portion oi the string of rods extending upwardly from said certain coupling having means for axially moving the sections of the sleeve relative to one another for contracting the sleeve.

10. The combination of a ported tubing and a sleeve adapted to cover or uncover the port by axial movement of the sleeve in the tubing, said sleeve comprising axial sections having abutting edges adapted to wedge the sleeve in the tubing or release said wedging engagement by relative axial movement between the sections, one of said sections projecting beyond the other for initial abutment against the projecting section to cause said relative axial movement, and said projecting section being adapted for impingement against the other section by continued abutment against the projecting section to axially shift the entire sleeve after release of the wedging engagement.

11. A sleeve for a tubing comprising axial sections having abutting edges adapted to radially expand or contract the sleeve in the tubing by relative axial movement between the sections, and means carried by the sleeve for limiting relative radialmovement of the sections.

12. A sleeve for a tubing comprising axial sections having abutting edges adapted to radially expand or contract the sleeve in the tubing by relative axial movement between the sections, and means carried by the sleeve for guiding said relative axial movement.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

enovnn o. BUsHo'Ne. 

